Review: Are We Friends?, Old Red Lion Theatre

The Old Red Lion is an established host to Camden Fringe, with its eclectic mix of new works and varied takes on established favourites. Are We Friends?, written and directed by Luis Dias, is a precious new work, exploring grief, transparency and boundaries of friendship.

Oliver (Dias), grieving the loss of his mother, turns to alcohol and drugs to subdue the ache of loss and longing. Andy, played by the remarkable Noah Matthews Matofsky, is the candid, observant protagonist. Andy challenges the world to see him beyond his Downs Syndrome diagnosis, as an aspiring and capable actor. He tenderly carries Yorick’s skull (if you know, you know), whilst preparing for a local production of Hamlet.

If Andy loves to act so he can be anyone else but himself, Oliver subdues his feelings and personality through drinking and smoking, avoiding himself. Dias is both charming and compelling, building his character’s emotional arc with absorbing structure. This is fully matched by the disarmingly frank Matofsky; his characterisation of Andy demonstrates an enviable comic timing, sensitivity and passion.   

Lighting and sound design by Hannes Krischewski is largely effective. Occasionally the music is too loud, subsuming the play with the aching tones of the late Lady Day (Billie Holiday). This, perhaps, echoes the insistence of grief, memories and loss. However, the lighting works well, transporting us between time frames shifting the paradigm, illuminating the progression of this friendship.

The protracted start, consuming over half the overall duration of the play, would benefit from further staging, or from an actor being present and seemingly attentive. Audience members turned from warm, anticipatory chatter to agitation and frustration as the music played, apparently without cessation.

Given the capability of these actors, the piece feels overly brief. It is refreshing to see Dias’ exploration of male friendship, unvarnished truths, vulnerability and courage. Travelling through the establishing of trust and candour, we also witness the growing comfort of boundaries as Andy expresses curiosity for the drink/drug consumption, evolving into gentle admonishment, and ultimately extracting a promise from Oliver to stop. When this promise is inevitably broken, we see the tenderness of a friendship sorely tried but, nevertheless, robust and forgiving. This is undoubtedly a work in progress, however the writing shows genuine promise, whimsy and intentionality.

There are more insights from Dias, in our recent interview here.

Written and Directed by Luis Dias 
Lighting and sound design by Hannes Krischewski

Are We Friends? plays at Old Red Lion Playhouse until Friday 14 August as part of #ShakeFest for Camden Fringe.